Hulk And Logan Battle One Last Time In Old Man Logan #50
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
Old Man Logan has been beaten down and humiliated by the Maestro, a despotic version of the Hulk from an alternate future. The Maestro took over a small northern town and has made it is personal kingdom. Logan aims to shut him down and free the townsfolk, but his healing factor isn’t working anymore. He has a drug called Regenix which should help him, but he hasn’t had the opportunity to take it, and Maestro isn’t giving him the opportunity. Maestro captures Logan, and the people of a town have a grave decision to make about their future.
Old Man Logan #50 brings this alternate future Wolverine series to a brutal conclusion, but it is Logan–things couldn’t have ended any other way. It mirrors the ending to Mark Millar’s original Old Man Logan story in that it pits Logan against the Hulk. That was always appropriate in itself, as Hulk was the first foe we ever saw Wolverine fight.
Ed Brisson has gotten quite a handle on writing this series. There is a visceral and almost primal struggle between this Wolverine and Hulk duo. Maestro is as strong as ever; Logan is weak and dying. The two have this deep, strong hatred of one another that can only be sated with blood.
Also, Maestro is an awesome villain, so it’s nice to see him here.
The drama centering around the townsfolk is interesting too. A wife seeks to avenge her husband’s death, a man kills his brother, and it all comes down to whether these people are willing to live in fear of the Maestro, an immensely strong being whom could kill them in an instant, or take up arms against his tyranny.
Admittedly, the ending to the Logan and Maestro fight is sudden and a little disappointing. What should have been a lengthy and bloody conclusion is instead abrupt and leaves you wondering why this didn’t happen earlier in the conflict.
Ibraim Roberson and Neil Edwards make for a fantastic art team, bringing a powerful visual style to match the narrative. Maestro looks as imposing as ever, and Logan’s high and low moments are presented very well. The fight scenes look damn cool, as they should in a tale like this. Carlos Lopez balances the cold white landscape with the dark and looming figures of Maestro and Logan. The comic looks phenomenal and all fronts.
Old Man Logan #50 is an impressive ending to the saga. We see Logan dueling with the Hulk once again, and we see how a weak old man fights a brute that is as strong as ever. The ending may have left a little to be desired, but the book’s high points more than make up for it. This one comes recommended. Check it out.
Old Man Logan #50 comes to us from writer Ed Brisson, artists Ibraim Roberson and Neil Edwards, color artist Carlos Lopez, letterer VC’s Cory Petit, cover artist Andrea Sorrentino with Giada Marchisio, and variant cover artists Gerardo Zaffino and Mike Deodato Jr. with Rain Beredo.